What is happening all too regularly happened again in Aurora at the end of March.
Citizens from our Greatest Generation who served the United States during World War II are passing away, and most of them have never had their incredible stories of heroism be told.
Because my father was a soldier in the war, and also because I’ve been fortunate enough to know others who served during the war, I have been privileged to write some of their stories.
The recent passing of Ken Olson, whom I interviewed almost two years ago, made me again think of our World War II veterans.
I realized that three of the most compelling stories were about servicemen named Olson. Ron Olson was a decorated Army soldier, Robert Olson also a decorated Army veteran and Ken Olson a yeoman third class in the U.S. Navy. All lived in Aurora, with Ron and Ken Olson having been born here, and Robert Olson living here for most of his adult life. All raised their families here and, without exaggeration, became well known pillars of the community. Interestingly, they were not related and did not know one another.
Two similarities among World War II veterans almost always stand out when I talk with them: How very young most of them were (some lying about their age to join the service) and the uncertainty that our country and the world were facing. For many of us, the war was a unit we studied in history class. But for our Greatest Generation, the world was in upheaval, and our country and very way of life were in peril.
I was reminded of some of their service similarities before and after the war, and of some of the memorable opinions which they shared.
Ken Olson was born in 1926, and was only a few months shy of his 100th birthday when he passed away recently.
Barely 18 years old, he joined the Navy and was shipped to Okinawa to serve on a minesweeper. These men were to clear mines for the planned invasion of Japan, but the plan changed after the Japanese surrender. He served in the Sea of Japan and South China Sea, traveled to Manila and throughout the Philippines and volunteered to stay in the Navy for an extra year at war’s end.
In civilian life, Ken and his wife Annette raised their family and, for a time, he served as commander of the Aurora American Legion Post when it had more than 1,000 members. He also played in the Legion Band for 60 years, and served as its president and manager at different times.
Ron Olson was born in 1925, and passed away in 2023. He was drafted and shipped overseas in 1944, and landed at Normandy 10 days after D-Day. He was wounded twice, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He remembered reading Psalm 118 (“I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord”) during the time his unit was being heavily shelled.
Returning home after the war, Ron attended college and Baptist Seminary in Chicago. He and his wife, Darlene, and their growing family, served as missionaries in Argentina for over 30 years. They also pastored and worked in churches in our area.
Robert Olson was born in 1922, and lied about his age to join the National Guard while he was still in high school. He entered the war in Europe through Normandy a week after D-Day. He was wounded when a mortar shell exploded and a piece of shrapnel pierced his helmet and went into his head. Taken to a field hospital and needing time to recuperate, he instead returned to action the same day with his unit. He was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and five campaign stars.
Returning to civilian life, Robert became an attorney and raised his family with his wife Mary. He worked in export finance at Barber-Greene Co. and also worked in a local law firm. He was a gentleman and a positive role model to his children and the community.
But memories that I won’t forget from conversations with World War II veterans will always be listening to their thoughts about their love of God and country.
“I believe in patriotism, and I’m very proud to be able to send it on — that I had a part in it,” Ken Olson said. “There are people who don’t appreciate living in this country. I certainly do love it, and have tremendous respect for anyone who is, or has been, in the service.”
Because I wrote about Robert Olson after his passing in 2020, his son, Chris, voiced his dad’s thoughts.
“Dad believed in America and in opportunities for immigrants,” he said. “He knew a little French, started taking Spanish classes in the 1970s and for a while was helping people to learn English. He believed in the opportunity that America is.”
Ron Olson had the perspective of someone who had bravely served his country, and also spent civilian life serving the Lord.
“The military made a man of me, and it also made me a better missionary,” he said. “I thought that if my country could take my life and use it, then how much more God had a right to my life. It’s been a wonderful walk with God, and He has never let me down.”
It was my privilege to meet Ron Olson and Ken Olson, and to visit with Robert Olson’s son. They are among our many hometown heroes, and members of our Greatest Generation.
Tom Strong is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
